It has been an incredible journey, almost four weeks since our precious son, Grant Temujin, graced this world with his presence. His arrival has filled our lives with an unimaginable depth of love, profound joy, and a sense of completeness that words struggle to capture. Every single day since his birth, I wake up feeling incredibly happy, immensely blessed, and profoundly grateful for this little miracle who has transformed our family forever.
My Journey to a Med-Free Natural Birth: Overcoming Fear with Hypnobirthing
Before diving into the vivid details of Grant’s powerful birth story, it’s essential to provide a little background into my journey. For a significant part of my life, I harbored a deep-seated, almost crippling fear of childbirth. This wasn’t a fleeting worry; it was a persistent anxiety that I often buried deep within, hoping it would simply disappear. However, that fear resurfaced with undeniable force when we discovered I was pregnant earlier this year. It became clear that I couldn’t ignore it any longer.
From that moment on, I knew I had to fundamentally shift my perspective on childbirth. My mind needed to be reconditioned, replacing fear with positive affirmations and unwavering belief in my body’s innate ability. And here’s the most surprising part, despite this profound fear of labor and delivery, I was absolutely resolute on having a **medication-free natural birth**. I understand it might sound contradictory – an individual terrified of childbirth, yet committed to experiencing it without medical intervention. But my reasoning was simple and visceral: I have an intense aversion to needles, particularly large ones. The thought of a thick needle being inserted into my back for an epidural sent shivers down my spine. “No, thank you,” I thought. I was determined to face this monumental event without it, or at least, to try my absolute best. This unwavering resolve sparked my quest to explore various natural birthing methods, hoping to find a path that aligned with my deep-seated preference.
Discovering Hypnobirthing: A Game Changer for Calm Birthing
My search for an empowering natural birth method serendipitously led me to Hypnobirthing, a discovery that would profoundly shape my entire labor experience. Last year, while attending the Food & Wine Conference in Florida, I had the pleasure of meeting Dianna from The Kitchen Prep, a fellow blogger and a new mom herself. She enthusiastically shared her positive experience with the Hypnobirthing method, explaining how it had empowered her to achieve a calm and gentle birth. Her insights were invaluable, and I am eternally grateful for that timely recommendation, Dianna!
True to my curious nature, I immediately delved into researching Hypnobirthing. I devoured countless testimonials, all painting a picture of peaceful and empowering birth experiences. To fully grasp the program’s philosophy and techniques, I made sure to read their comprehensive book. What I found resonated deeply with me – a gentle approach focused on relaxation, breathing, and positive visualization, transforming fear into confidence. The philosophy emphasized trusting the body’s natural birthing instincts, a concept that felt incredibly empowering.
Convinced by what I had learned, I sought out a certified Hypnobirthing instructor in my local area. My next challenge was to convince my husband, Garrat, to join me for the full course. These weren’t short sessions; we committed to three intense, three-to-four-hour sessions. Trust me, it wasn’t an easy sell! There was a fair bit of gentle nagging involved, but eventually, he agreed to participate. Looking back, I can confidently say it was unequivocally the best investment we made in our pregnancy journey. We both gained so much knowledge and felt truly empowered. The program equipped us with practical tools and a profound understanding of the birthing process, replacing apprehension with preparedness. While the name “Hypnobirthing” might sound a bit “new age” or “hippie” to some – I personally prefer “Calm Birthing” or “Gentle Birthing” – the techniques themselves are grounded in science and common sense, focusing on deep relaxation and mental conditioning. It prepared us not just for birth, but for a mindful approach to a life-changing event.
The Night Our Lives Changed: Labor Begins at 38 Weeks
And so, armed with our newfound knowledge and a sense of calm readiness, here’s how our incredible journey unfolded.
It was New Year’s Day, just after 9 PM, and I was exactly 38 weeks pregnant. The due date was rapidly approaching, and in a moment of foresight, Garrat and I decided it was high time we practiced our breathing techniques – specifically, the long, slow inhale and exhale method we’d learned. These breathing exercises, central to Hypnobirthing, are absolutely imperative for a successful natural birth, and we hadn’t dedicated enough time to them. We settled in, focusing on our breath, when suddenly, after just a few deep, intentional breaths, I felt a distinct sensation. I immediately suspected my water had broken, but my mind, ever the worrier, tried to convince me I was just being paranoid.
I quickly dashed to the bathroom, and then – BOOM! – there was no denying it. A significant gush of water confirmed my suspicion. I was in complete shock. My body began to shake uncontrollably, and I started to cry, overcome by a mix of fear and disbelief. My first instinct was to call my mom, who was in Australia visiting my sister and planning to arrive in just a few days. Through my tears, I wailed about the prospect of going into labor without her. (Yes, even as an adult, I revert to “child” mode in moments of intense emotion!) Hearing my mom and sister’s voices, offering words of comfort and reassurance, helped to somewhat calm my initial panic. Garrat, too, played a crucial role, gently reminding me to use my deep, relaxing breaths, as we had practiced. Slowly, reality began to set in, and a wave of pure elation washed over me. I found myself laughing through my tears because it suddenly meant we were going to meet our little son, not in a few weeks, but very, very soon! As my composure returned, I called the hospital, and they instructed us to come in within two hours.
In a stroke of incredible luck, earlier that very day, I had been meticulously preparing my hospital bag. Everything was neatly laid out on the couch, ready for this exact moment. I had even dedicated that afternoon to writing a detailed birth preference plan, which in retrospect, is quite amusing. My plan, as carefully crafted as it was, assumed a perfectly straightforward progression, entirely devoid of any “special circumstances.” A dramatic water breaking wasn’t exactly penciled into my serene birth scenario!
After ensuring our bags were packed and, rather belatedly, installing the car seat (yes, it had been on our to-do list for a while!), we decided to try and relax for a few minutes. We turned off the lights and lay down on the couch, but literally less than five minutes later, we realized relaxation was impossible. The excitement, anticipation, and adrenaline were simply too high. So, without further ado, off to the hospital we went!
Hospital Arrival and the Waiting Game
We arrived at the hospital around midnight, settling into our labor and delivery room. After discussing our preferences with the nurse, I expressed my desire to allow labor to start naturally and requested that we be allowed to rest until morning. To our relief, our wishes were granted. I put on my eye mask, and we managed to get some precious sleep until around 7 AM. Upon waking, there were still no contractions, no pain, no discomfort whatsoever. It felt like any other morning, except for the undeniable reality that it was certainly not! The doctors, however, had a different timeline in mind; they wanted to initiate induction no later than 9 AM, adhering to the protocol of having the baby delivered within 24 hours of my water breaking.
The Slow Start: Pitocin and the Anticipation of Pain
By 9 AM, there was still no discernible sign of labor naturally progressing. Following the doctor’s recommendation, we began the Pitocin drip, starting at a low dosage of 2 units (knowing it could go as high as 20!). The hope was that this gentle nudge would finally kickstart the contractions and get things moving. Hours slowly passed, but to our frustration, there were still no noticeable contractions. I found myself repeatedly asking my nurse, “What exactly does a contraction feel like?” Her consistent answer was, “It feels like cramping.” Yet, I experienced absolutely no cramping, no pain, no discomfort whatsoever. It was a bizarre situation; never in my life had I imagined I would desperately *want* to feel pain, but in that moment, all I wished for was a sign of progress.
Around noon, my doctor stopped by for a check-in. He delivered a rather direct expectation: from that point forward, I should be dilating approximately 1 centimeter every hour to ensure a natural birth progression. He calculated that by 7 PM, I should ideally be dilated to at least 7 centimeters. “Jeez, quite a pressure!” I remember thinking, feeling the weight of that expectation. “I’ll do my best,” I replied, perhaps with a hint of nervous resolve.
That afternoon became a peculiar mix of forced relaxation and active attempts to induce labor. Garrat and I took short naps, walked miles around the hospital halls (hoping gravity would help), bounced on the birthing ball, played UNO to distract ourselves, and watched TV. Essentially, we were just trying to kill time, waiting for something significant to happen. Meanwhile, the Pitocin dosage was steadily increased every hour. By approximately 5 PM, I finally began to feel intermittent, noticeable cramping. “I guess that’s what contractions are!” I thought, a strange sense of relief washing over me. They were definitely present but not yet unbearable. However, as 7 PM approached, the contractions undeniably intensified to the point where I had to pause, breathe deeply, and focus during each wave. Finally, some tangible progress!
Embracing Movement and Affirmations Through Intensifying Contractions
As the contractions grew stronger and more frequent, I discovered an absolute aversion to being in bed. Lying down made me feel incredibly helpless and seemed to amplify the pain. My body instinctively craved movement. I found solace in walking, sitting upright, or vigorously bouncing on the birthing ball – anything to engage my core and shift my position. We even tried taking a bath in the Jacuzzi tub, hoping the warm water would provide some relief, but unfortunately, it wasn’t particularly helpful in managing the pain. Still, we were willing to try anything to pass the time and redirect my mind away from the intensity of the contractions.
I attempted to engage in the Hypnobirthing relaxation techniques we had learned, but lying still for deep relaxation proved too painful during the stronger contractions. Instead, I focused on listening to my carefully prepared birth affirmations. These powerful statements, designed to instill confidence and calm, continuously played in my mind: “I’m relaxed and happy that my baby is finally coming to me. I’m focused on a smooth and easy birth. I trust my body to know what to do.” These affirmations, though not providing physical relief, were crucial in maintaining a positive mindset and reminding me of my inner strength throughout the escalating intensity of labor.
The Epidural Dilemma and a Breakthrough Moment
At 9 PM, my doctor made another visit. It had now been a full 24 hours since my water broke, and to my dismay, I had only barely dilated to 5 centimeters. This was significantly behind the 1cm-per-hour target, and a wave of discouragement washed over me. However, to my immense relief, he delivered some unexpected good news: since both my baby’s heart rate was strong and my blood pressure remained normal, we had the option to wait until morning to see if more progress could be made naturally. The caveat was clear: if there was no substantial progress by morning, a C-section would become necessary. OMG, I was ecstatic that he granted us more precious time! Yet, this relief was quickly followed by a fresh surge of worry – what if I still didn’t make any progress? The doctor also suggested that I could consider an epidural at that point, which would allow me to get a few hours of much-needed sleep. He hypothesized that perhaps I wasn’t relaxing enough to allow the contractions to work effectively. The idea of an epidural sounded incredibly tempting; I was utterly exhausted, increasingly hungry, and, most importantly, consumed by the worry that I needed to relax to push things forward.
Garrat, on the other hand, was not easily swayed. He gently but firmly suggested we take a short walk in the hall before making such a significant decision. I didn’t offer a verbal answer; according to him, I merely shot him a “dirty look” – a testament to the intensity of my contractions at that moment! My contractions were indeed quite strong by then, but thankfully, there were still short breaks in between, allowing me precious moments to catch my breath and gather my thoughts. Thank goodness for those brief reprieves!
During those fleeting breaks, I desperately tried to think clearly, weighing the pros and cons of an epidural. Should I give in to the exhaustion and worry, or hold onto my original commitment to a med-free birth? Before I could fully make up my mind, something entirely unexpected happened. Out of nowhere, I felt an undeniable, primal urge to push. My immediate thought was that I needed to use the restroom, but I decided to alert the nurses just in case. They quickly came into the room and performed a check to assess my progress. To everyone’s astonishment, I had dilated to almost 8 centimeters! Whoa! That was incredibly fast, a true breakthrough after a long day of seemingly minimal progress. Finally, we had made significant headway!
Despite the rapid dilation, it was still too early to push. The nurses, in their infinite wisdom, coached me to breathe through the contractions and, crucially, to *resist* the urge to push. It was around 10:20 PM; I was in the full throes of active labor, expressing myself with raw, unfiltered screams and even a few expletives, both in English and my native Mongolian. I distinctly remember telling Garrat, once again, that I *had* to get an epidural. His response was calm yet firm: “Let’s wait until 11 PM, and if there’s still no progress, then you’ll get an epidural.” I’m fairly certain he received another one of my infamous “dirty looks” at that moment.
The Final Push: A Raw, Real, and Empowering Delivery
In that intense phase of labor, I had an incredible support system. Nurse Mary was positioned on my left, providing expert coaching through each breath and contraction. Garrat was steadfastly on my right, offering unwavering emotional support, a comforting presence in the chaos. The screaming had left me parched, and I craved something cold. Mary promptly brought me some popsicles, but they were unexpectedly too sweet for my heightened senses. “Crushed ice!” I requested. When Mary returned with a cup of ice, a strong aroma of coffee hit me, and I loudly exclaimed, “I smell coffee! I don’t wanna smell coffee!” I genuinely believed someone else had entered the room with a fresh cup, but it turned out Mary had simply taken a quick sip of coffee while grabbing my ice. Oh, bless her heart! I truly didn’t mean to be unkind in my labor-induced frenzy. Then, while she was briefly away to fetch some gum, I asked Garrat to coach me through my breathing. When he did, I immediately retorted, “Never mind, you’re exhaling too strong!” Laughter, even in retrospect, feels appropriate. I was, by all accounts, quite “a piece of work” during that phase of labor, reacting to everything with an almost comical intensity!
Adding to the surreal experience, there was another expectant mother checked into the room right next to ours earlier that day. In between my powerful contractions, a part of me was genuinely worried that my rather vocal expressions of labor were completely scaring her. I later learned she had been sent home, so my fears, thankfully, were unfounded.
Around 11 PM, a check confirmed glorious news: I had dilated to 9 centimeters! Yay, more undeniable progress! Bolstered by this advancement, I reaffirmed my commitment to continue without an epidural. It was by no means easy; in fact, it was undeniably one of the hardest and most physically demanding things I have ever done. At one particularly intense point, I even declared to Garrat, “I’m only having one child! No more kids, please!” – a sentiment many mothers might relate to in the throes of delivery.
My sweet nurse Mary continued to provide unwavering comfort and encouragement, her voice a soothing anchor: “That’s the girl! You’ve got this!” Meanwhile, another nurse efficiently began setting up the room for delivery. As extra carts laden with various tools for the delivery and a dedicated baby station were wheeled in, a profound sense of reality settled over me. Things were getting very, very real. It was truly happening now!
I found myself repeatedly asking if the doctor had been called yet and, with increasing urgency, “When can I push?!?” Oh my goodness, I couldn’t wait for that moment of active participation. And then, as if on cue, the doctor was there, and I was told: “We’re ready for the baby!” That was quite simply music to my ears, the most welcome phrase I could have heard! After one initial, slightly fumbled push – what I affectionately call a “practice push” – I quickly got the hang of it. I distinctly remember the joyous cheering of my husband and the nurses, their voices filled with encouragement: “Keep pushing! He’s almost out!” Fueled by such incredible motivation and the knowledge that my baby was so close, I pushed harder and with more determination each time. And with just three powerful, focused pushes, in less than five exhilarating minutes, our sweet little boy, Grant Temujin, made his grand entrance into the world at precisely 12:04 AM. He weighed a healthy 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and measured 20 inches long. The moment they gently placed this tiny, squirming munchkin onto my chest, I was instantly overwhelmed by an explosion of love, happiness, and an utterly profound sense of completeness. I hadn’t cried as I had anticipated; instead, I simply stared, captivated, at this perfect, tiny human, a miracle I now got to call mine. He was, in every single way, pure perfection.
Grant Temujin: A Name Chosen by Tradition
Throughout my pregnancy, Garrat and I had found ourselves unable to agree on a name for our son, though each of us had our personal favorites. We ultimately decided to wait until after his birth to make the final decision. On the very day he was born, we engaged in a unique and heartwarming Mongolian tradition. We each wrote our top name choice on two separate pieces of paper, folded them, and placed them into a bag filled with rice. After shaking the bag vigorously, the name that stuck out on the surface was chosen as his first name. That’s how our beautiful son received his name, Grant Temujin, a blend of traditional and personal significance.
Reflections and Future Journeys
Are you still reading? I sincerely hope I haven’t bored you too much with the intricate details of our amazing birth story! I could honestly continue talking endlessly about all the incredible progress Grant has been making since his arrival – every tiny milestone is a joy to behold. But for now, I’ll pause here, cherishing these early weeks of new parenthood. If you’re interested in more baby-related posts, perhaps documenting his development, sharing new mom insights, or exploring baby products, please let me know in the comments below. I might just consider adding a new, dedicated section to the blog for all things baby-related. Your feedback is always welcome!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my incredibly personal and empowering story. It means the world to me. ❤️